Stalking

What Constitutes Stalking

It is the policy of the Taylor Police Department to aggressively investigate all reports of stalking and to arrest those responsible for stalking. In every report alleging stalking, police will advise the victim of safety measures, and the appropriate social services. In domestic violence cases the police shall advise the victim of the proper procedure for filing a Personal Protection Order (PPO) or seeking a Restraining Order in non-domestic situations.

A person may be guilty of stalking if that person engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts toward another person, including following the person without proper authority, under circumstances which show either an intent to place the person in reasonable fear of bodily injury or an intent to cause substantial emotional distress to the person

A person may be guilty of stalking if that person engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly communicates to another under anything that would place that person in reasonable fear of bodily injury or to cause substantial emotional distress.

Examples of Stalking

Burglary of the victim's home.

Delivery of objects to the victim intended to cause fear to that victim.

Disabling the victim's vehicle(s).

Filing change of address forms at the Post Office under the victims name in order to intercept the victim's mail.

Following the victim on foot or in a vehicle.

Harassing or threatening the victim by use of computers or the internet.

Mailing of un-welcomed or un-solicited cards, letters, email or gifts to the victim.

Making repeated slanderous statements or false reports concerning the victim to the victim's work, police or judicial authorities.

Repeated harassing, threatening, or obscene telephone calls to the victim.

Showing up at the victim's place of employment or other frequented establishments.

Spying or monitoring of the victim's activities.

Threats made to the victim (can be either direct, veiled, or conditional).

Transferring the victim's phone line to another line in order to monitor messages, or disabling the phone or planting listening devices in the victim's home.

Trespassing.

Vandalism affecting the security of the victim's home, such as unscrewing outside lights or disabling the alarm system.

Vandalism or theft of the victim's property, home, vehicle, workplace, or vandalism to the property, etc., of any friend or family member who helps the victim, especially by allowing the victim to stay at their home.

Violations of a PFA and/or a protective order from another jurisdiction.

Safety Measures and Tips

Alter schedule and routes traveled.

Change personal email address(s). Keep a diary of all instances the suspect has contacted the victim, including dates, times, witnesses, evidence, etc.

Contact telephone security for tracing procedures.

Do not keep it a secret, let your friends, relatives, neighbors, employer and colleagues know about the problem and provide them with a picture of the suspect (if possible). Have them call 9-1-1 if they see him/her near you, your house, car or work place.

If a person you believe to be stalking you makes repeat contact, call 9-1-1 and make a report to the Police.

Obtain an answering machine / caller I.D.

Obtain a Personal Protection Order (PPO) from the court.

Obtain protective devices (dog/mace).

Stay with a friend or relative.

Stop all contact with the suspect.

Victim should retain all evidence (cards, letters, emails, recordings, etc.) sent by the suspect.